Patent US 4,078,319

An apparatus and method for teaching reading which is based on training the eye of a reader to fix or focus initially on a word or letter group lying within an area defined by an intentionally reduced or narrow angular lateral span, and subsequently to be exposed to groups of letters, words, and groups of words of gradually increasing lateral span. The student also systematizes the direction of a succession of eye movements and uses exterior rhythmic stimuli to reinforce the rhythm of eye movement. Preferably, the student is furnished with reading material which consists of a series of word groups of normal print size, arranged in logical sequence and of simple content. The words are observed by the student through an optical lens which greatly reduces the image size of the printed matter, causing each word to lie within a very small angular lateral span. The student then rhythmically moves his line of sight from the first or left-hand word in such group to the next horizontal word, etc. until the end of the group is reached, whereupon his eyes return to the left margin and continue a series of left-to-right movements. As the student masters the rhythm of reading, and is able to grasp the words, an image-reducing lens of less optical power is substituted, and the training continues with lenses of gradually decreasing power. Finally the student is able to repeat the eye movements and understand material of increased lateral span, thereby improving his reading rate without sacrificing comprehension. An apparatus comprising a reading material holder and viewing lens support means is also described.